Incubator



Filed Aug. 24, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I.

Feb. 17,. 1931.

W. F. HILLPOT INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 24, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 17, 193.1. w HlLLPOT 1,792,907

INCUBATOR Filed Aug. 24, 192s sheets-sheet s FIG-'E d T,joFEICE WILLIAM FINNEY HILLPOT, ornnnNcnToWN,-Nnw JERSEY i. .UNITED STATES `PMF.

Y iNCUBAToR Y p Application filed VAugust 24, 1923. Serial 2tIo.-659,037.V

It is the obje-ct of my invention to provide toni thereof. Such air circulating means are an inelosure` for-means fonsupporting eggs, operated at such a rate -that all .the eggs on duringthe period eik-incubation thereof, and the lowest 4trays-.will have air circulating including means for diffusing and circulat-k around them atV about the sameA speed.

$15 ing the air withinsaid-inclosure in such man- Moreover, I ffind it convenientA toV provide 55 ner as to facilitate the incubation of the eggs means for artificially heating the` air when inclosed. 1 y desired ,wsuch heatingineans being conveni-V Ashereinafter described, I find-it convenently coils of pipe containingwaterlor other ientlto 'providesucli supportingnieans heating medium exterior to said inclosure,

1.0 includingl tiltable traysjournaledin tiltable ina` conduit boxleadng to the fan or blower. 50

,1,20 trays and frames downwardly from the upof the incubating processes by. any convenient frames which are jonrnaled in supporting As hereinafter described, .1 doy not desire flexible lconnectors which `areeonveniently toliinit .myself tothe` location ofthe air Y endless chain belts, constructed and arranged circulating motor or motors 'solely at' the inaccordanee with my invention disclosed in Vlower .portion of the inclosures,V as a plu application Serial 577,499 for LettersfPatrality of fans, of diiierent sizes, may berem- 65* ent of the VUnited States 1,489,597 granted ployed, respectively :located fr at [,cliiferent April-V8, 1924, andcopending herewith. Such heights. in` the inclosure. `Moreover7 although egg supporting means are so constructed and the interior` of suchsinclosure may'begventiarranged as to progress the egg carrying latedltoeliminate carbon dioxide by-products O per tothelower portion of the inclosure'durmeans;-l find it convenient toprovidesuch ing each incubating operation thereofV It an .Y inclosurewith .a ventilator opening jor is generally understood that it is desirable to openings in the top thereof having means Y have eggs in an atmosphere which is warmer for hernietically closing suclrfve'nt Aor .vents atthe'beginning of the incubating period but permitting the same to beopened atinterthan'atfthe end thereof, forthe reason that, vals at the will of the operator and in Aacat the beginning ofsaid period, the eggs`r abcordance `withthe varying conditions of the vsorblieat but, incubation proceeds, heat atmosphere within and without`V such in-l isggeneratedtoan increasing degree inciden-t closure.:

i3" to changestakin-gplaceV in the living-...cone Vv,My-'invention includes` the various-novel S0 tents offthe eggs; the maiiimum permissible features.:of-construction :and arrangement temperaturel being 100 `F` which is ap-Y hereinafter more definitely specified.v

preached at the end ofthe incubating period, In said drawings Figl is afdiagrammatic and that it is not only desirable, but essential, plan'view-of .an incubator inclosureembodyf 35 to -maintain tlief'eggs` in an` atmosphere ing'my invention;v 85

charged with asuicient amount of oxygen to Fig. II is apartly sectionalelevationfof the vmaintain the life processes within the eggs. structure shownin Fig. I, as .seenffrom the Y `-Of eourse,rthenatural convection currents lower side of thatiigure. Y 1 y iusuch an inclosurje'induceanupward move'- Fig. III is a Vertical sectional view of said nientv of the airfromithe lower eggs of in.- structure-shown in Figsl and II, taken on '90 creasing temperature tothe upper eggs the lineIIL-IIIi-n Fig. I.A

.lower temperature; as lthe eggspare pre- Insaidfguresgthe eggtrays eachicomprise gressed downwardly as above 'described.` a reetangulargan'd conveniently square, mar# YHowever, I find it desirabl'eto facilitate and ginal frame "1l, wlnchisfopen at ithe :top1 and able motor, such a rotary vfan-or blower ably of foraminous-inaterial adapted tosupand tolceate such motor yadj acent tothe'iioor port the `eggs whilepermittingfreecirculafV of saidinclosure, inthe side wall thereof, so Vvtienof air .aroundf'them'..k Such a webfiseon-l as to direct a current of air horizontallywith .e venie'ntly formed of insect screenwire', 'andi is A respect to said inclosure adjacent to the bot# preferably reinforced and supported at inter- 100 f augment such convection currentsby a suitcovered at the'loottomV with aweb 2,.pr eferA-l 95 vals by the cross bars 5 which are rigidly connected at their opposite ends with the opposite side Walls of said tray 4frame l. Each of said trays is provided with trunnions 6 axially alined at the middle of each tray and projecting from opposite sides thereof, coincident i iith the axis of oscillation of the tray. Means supporting said trays 1 With their trunnions 6 extending horizontally, include holders or racks comprising respective rectangular parallelogram frames 8, conveniently formed of channel iron. Each of said holder racks 8 has bearings S) at its opposite longitudinal sides, for the respective trunnions 6 of said trays; the arrangement being suoli that the axes of oscillation of said trays l, coincident With their respective trunnions 6, are parallel With each other, as indicated in F ig. I.

Each of said holder raclrs 8 has means supporting it so that it may be tilted upon a horizontal axis of oscillation, in transverse relation to the axes of oscillation ofthe trays which it supports. That is to say; the freedom of movement of said trays l and racks 8 permit-s each tray to be tilted, so as to be inclined in either of tWo opposite directions, upon its individual axis, coincident with its trunnions 6, regardless of the position in which such axis is held by its rack 8, and the latter may be tilted, so as to be inclined in either of tivo opposite directions, regardless of the position in which the trays Which it supports are tilted upon their individual axes so that each tray may be inclined in at least four different positions With respect to the earth. I also find it convenient to provide detent means, to detain each tray in its position of adjustment, so as to prevent accidental displacement thereof, until it is desired to change its position, as above contemplated. However, such details of construction and arrangement are fully set forth in my copending application aforesaid, in Which they are claimed.

Although each tray l may be thus' independently adjusted and retained in anyse lected position of inclination; I find it desirable to operatively connect such trays in ver tical series, so that any desired number of them maybe tilted by one movement which i sufiicient to tilt any one of them.

Each of the eggs 3 may be thus inclined, mechanically, in simulation of the movements naturally imparted to an incubating egg, by the mother bird, with the edect that the embryos are prevented from adhering to the lining'membrances of the egoF shells, as they do When the eggs are allowed to remain stationary. Moreover, such repeated movements of the eggs have la stimulating effect upon the development of the embryos, so that more of the latter survive than is the case When the eggs are allowed to remain stationary. Y

In the arrangement illustrated, a vertical series of such trays l, mounted in a vertical series of racks 8, may be loaded with eggs 3 at such intevals that the operator can predetermine which tray contains the eggs which have reached the hatching stage.

In order to facilitate such operation of my invention as last above contemplated; I find it convenient to not only arrange the egg trays and their holder racks in vertical series, as indicated in Figs. Il and Ill, but to so support such series that the trays may be progressed through an atn'\ospl1e1e, the temperature of Which may be controlled to such a degree as to ariordthe maximum eiiiciency of hatching effect. F or instance, such a vertical series of trays and holder frames may be detachably connected With and supported by endless chain belts Selvvithin a chamber in which the temperature may be controlled by anv suitable means. As indicated; said chamber is inclosed by the hous- 36 including the platform or floor 37 at the upper level, Where it is desired to charge the trays l with fresh eggs, and said trays l are caused to gradually descend, by movement of said chains 34, through said chamber 35, during the period of incubation, so that When the eggs reach the hatching stage, they are in the lowermost trays l in the vertical l series of racks 8 and accessible from the lower platform or floor 38. Such an arrangement permits the trays and rack frames to be manually removed from the bottom of the vertical series aforesaid and recharged with fresh eggs, in succession, so that the incubating process is practically continuous.

Although all of the movements of the trays l and racks S above described may be effected manually; I find it convenient to effect such movements automatically. F or instance, said chain belts 34 extend around sprocket Wheels el0 and 41 which are respectively mounted upon shafts l2 and a?) at the top and bottom of said chamber 35 and said chains may be progressed by providing one shaft a3 with a Worm gear 45 engaged by a Worm a6 driven by the electric motor 48, and ci lively cennecting that shaft -ll with the other shaft 43, by any suitable sa nce, a cr 2d pela or a transversely extending shaft having bevelgear connections with said shafts 4:3. Such a belt is indicated by the dotted lines at in Fig. III. In that arrangement, the racks 8 have studs 50 which extend through the links of said chain belts 34 in such relation thereto that they are automatically engaged and disengaged respectively at the top and bottom bights of said belts Where they extend around said sprocket Wheels. In that arrangement, the Vsprocket Wheels upon one side of the racks Simay be rigidly connected With'their Vrespective shafts, Whereas, the sprocket wheels upon the other side of said racks l tating the fans 52 at dierent levels in op- 8 may be frictionally engaged with said respective shafts 'so 'that the belts upon onev side of said racks 3 may bei-shifted relativelyl to the belts 34 upon the opposite'sideof said 'racks `3 to effect the tilt# iiig movements `of said racks, as above ldescribed. As vindicated in FigsI and II the sproclietwheels Ll() and 4l at: the left hand side of theracks 8 are rigidly connected with their respective shafts 42 'and 43 .by set screws, whereas the sprocket wheels 40 and il at the right hand side of said racks 8v have no set screws in their hubs but'are held between respective pairs of collars whichare rigidly connected with the shafts 42 and 43 by set screws and frictionally engage the ends of the wheel hubs by Washers which are stippled in'said figures, and which may. be formed ofleather or other material affording the desired degree of friction. I find it convenient to effect such tilting movelments so as to change the position of the "eggsV at intervalsV of six hours, although, of course, such changes may be eifected at any desired intervals. 1

Ofcourse, in such a structure,'the atmosphere in the chamber 35 can be maintained at any-suitable. temperature in every part, by any suitable means.. However, I lind itA convenient to providevan air motor or motors 52 which may bea rotary fan having its axis of rotation horizontal. Saidffanz52 draws the airinto said chamber 35 through Vthe conduit box 53 which extends vertically parallel with the adjacent .wall of said hous ing 36 surrounding said chamber and l :iind it .convenient to provide -means to'heat lthe air thus supplied'to said chamber 35, by

extending coils .of pipes '54,V in 4said. conduit box 53 to receive heated Water, steam, or other convenient heating;` medium; when it isdesired, vto heat the air inthe induction chamberf55. Said fan is so ccnstructed'and arrangedy'and operated atsuch speed, vthat all of the eggs-inn they lowest trays will have air circulating around them at vabout the. same speed. .Y j c A. Y

Although I havefound it possible to adequately dilfuse andcirculate .the air in such chamber 35 by means of a single fanniotor 52 in the lower part `ofrsaid chamber; I may employ a series of such fans atfdifferent Yheights in said chamber and of suitable sizes. For instance,fthe lowerinost fan may beisiX- teen inches inV diameter, the next higher twelve inches and the upper one eight inches in diameter, and it is to be understood that said fans may be rotated in either direction' to circulate theair in said chamber either toward or awayfromsaidl conduit. Forinstance, said conduitl53 may be closed at the top by the fiat 56, and the air diffused and circulated throughout said chamber 35, by way of said conduit, in a closed system, by ro-V vin said egg chamber 35 and ventilation of the latter. Y

Moreover, I find it convenient to provide said conduitbox 53 with a series of ,ports` 62 and63 opening from said induction chamber Y respectively into'the egg chamber 35 and Vto the outer atmosphere, and to provide such portswith' respective closures, for instance, slides 65 and 66 whereby the effective area of said ports maybe adjustably varied from maximum to zero.

Of course, it is to be understood that said ventilator closures vi60 Vmay be adjusted to 'vary the effective area of the vents. which they .control vand bel left iii adjusted position to circulate 'air from said induction chamber 455 when said flap 56 is open, to and through said egg chamberr 35 and out said ventilators.

YIt may be observed that, in the arrangement i :described wherein the egg supports are automatically movable by means of the endless conveyor belts described to gradually progress theeggs from the top to the bottom ofV theegg chamber 35 during the process of inj cuhationthe locationv of the air. moving means at the lower portion of said chamber 35 causes the air to move with greatervelocity there .than in the upper regions and, consequently, Asubjects the `eggs toja more rapid circulation ofxair iny accordance with the progression of the incubatingoperation. In

Aother wordsysuch construction land ari'angement subject the eggsto a gradually increasing cooling effect in the latter stages of the 'incubating-operation and thus effect an increasing interchange of temperature between the eggs andthe atmosphere adjacent thereto Aas the process of incubation proceeds.

' In view of incubators of the prior art in vwhich the'teinperature of the air introduced to 'the egg chamber isicontrolled by thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of the air in the egg. chamber; it is to be particularly noted that the construction and arrangement of 1 myV invention above described provides means arranged to control-the temperature of the air in the induction chamber 55,7and .consequently the temperature ofthe air at its introduction to the egg chamber, independently of the temperature in said egg chamber; such means including ports opening from said induction chamber to said egg chamber and to the ,outer atmosphere and j inovableclosures forV said ports` and means,

in the conduit box 53, arranged to heat the air passing to the fan 52. Y,

lAlthough I have found it convenient, in the structure illustrated, to eXtend the air conduit box 53 vertically, in connection with a side wall of the egg chamber 35; it is to be ,understood that it may be otherwise located and arranged. Furthermore although I have found it convenient to gradually progress the eggs from one region to another in the egg chamber 85 as the incubating process proceeds; of course, suoli change or' location of the eggs may be effected intermittently, step by step; for instance, by alternately lstarting and stopping the egg moving means described. However, I do not desire to -limit myself to such egg moving means, as any suitable means may be employed to shift the eggs, in combination with means to 'forcibly progress suitably heated air at different rates in different regions of the egg chamber; provided that such egg moving and ventilating means are so coordinated that the eggs are subjected to a more rapid circulation of air in correspondence with the progression of the incubating operation, to thus attain the desired effect above contenxijilated, to wit7 to subject the eggs to a gradually increasing cooling effect in the latter stages ot the incubating operation in compensation tor the natural increase of temperature ot the eggs by the life process therein, to not only prevent overheating and` consequent destruction of the lite germs but to supply the latter with the increasing volume of oxygen which is necessary ior their maintenance during such latter stages.

It is characteristic of the incubator-s chosen for exemplitication of my invention as above described, that the egg chamber is devoid of such partitions. as are used in the prior art to compel the circulation of. air in predetermined paths with respect to the eggs ;for instance, there are numerous prior art incubators wherein there are partitions: at opposite sides oi a corridor which confine the air driven from afan to a path between said` partitions and, in conformity with relevant decisions I use the termk general agitation to describe the movement of the air which is etiected in incubator structures such as delined in the following claims, which are devoid ot such partitions. v

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself tothe precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth as itis obvious that various modifications may be made therein, without departing from the essential features of my invention, as deiined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In an incubator, the combination with an inclosure for an egg chamber; of means arranged to support egg trays in vertical tiers in said chamber including endless belts,

adapted fordetachable connection with said trays; whereby the eggs may be progressed vertically by said belts, to diierent regions said inclosure, in accordance with the stage of their incubation; means arranged to c rculate air in said egg chamber, including a 'fan exterior to said egg chamber, and means arranged to direct a current of air from said fan horizontally into said egg chamber; a conduit box exterior to said egg chamber, covering said tan and forming an air induction chamber; means arranged to control the temperature of the air in said induction chamber independently of the temperature in said egg chamber, including ports opening from said induction chamber to said egg chamber and to the outer atmosphere, and movable closures for said ports; and means, in said conduit box, arranged to heat the air passing to said'fan; whereby, theair in the egg chamber is continuallyv circulated in horizontal strata between the egg trays and at diierent velocity in respective strata between said trays and the eggs in the trays are subjected to air of increasing velocity in accordance with their progression inincubation and thus subjected to progressive increment of cooling effect and supply of oxygen required during successive stages of incubation.

2. ,In an incubator as in claim l; means arran d to progress said trays downwardly, by said belts; and means adapted to temporarily support an egg tray, at the upper parts of said belts, arranged to facilitate the initial placement and connection of such trays on said belts.

3. An incubator. as in claim l; wherein the ports opening from said induction chamber to said egg chamber are at respectively diii'er- .ent levels inthe latter.

4C. In an incubator, the combination with an inclosure for an egg chamber; ofmeans arranged to support egg trays in Vertical tiers in said chamber; wherebythe eggs may be progressed to diillerent levels in said inclosure in accoriflan-e with the stage of their incubation; means arranged to circulate air in said egg chamber, including a tan mounted to rotate upon Ia horizontal axis exterior' to said egg chamber and means arranged to direct a current oli' air from said fan horizontally into said egg chamber; means forming an .air induction chamber leading to said fan;

means arranged to control the temperature of the air in said induction chamber, independently of the temperature in said egg-chamber; and means, in said induction chamber, arranged to heat atmospheric air before it reaches said tan; whereby, the air in the egg chamber is continually circulated in horizontal strata between the egg trays and at different velocity in respective strata between said trays rand the eggs in the trays are subjected to air of increasing velocity in accordance with their progression in incubation, and thus subjected to progressive increment of cooling hereto said egg chamber and in its recircuefect and supply of oxygen required during successive stages'of incubation.

5: In an incubator the combinationwith an inclosure for an egg chamber; of means arranged to support egg trays in vertical tiers in said chamber, including endless belts;Y

whereby the eggs may beprogressed to different levels in said inclosure in accordance with the stage of their incubation; a .conduit boX ation from said egg chamber to said fan; and belt means adapted to vertically shift eggs in said chamber, during such agitation of the air in said Chamber.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Vsigned my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylexterior to said egg chamber, and forming an air induction chamber; air heating means in said induction chamber; means arranged to i control the temperature of the air in said in-` duction chamber, independently of the temperature in said egg chamber, including ports opening from said induction chamber to said egg chamber and to the outer atmosphere, and movable closures for said ports; andmeans, arranged to forcibly inject the air from said induction chamber to said egg chamber, at the lower portion of the latter; an air vent at the upper portion of said egg chamber; and an adjustable closure for said vent; whereby the circulation of air in said egg chamber may be varied. Y

6.In an incubator the combination with an inclosure for an egg chamber; of means arranged to support egg trays in vertical f Y j tiers in said chamber and permit free pas'- sage of air horizontally between said trays throughout said tiers; means arranged to forcibly circulate air in horizontal strata be- Y tween said trays and at different velocities in the respective strata; and means whereby said trays may be progressively moved and thereby subjected to strata of air of increasing velocity, with corresponding increment in the cooling and oXygenating effect ,of the air upon the eggs as the incubation proceeds.

7 An incubator as in claim 6 wherein the means for movingthe trays include endless chains at opposite ends of' the trays and detachably connected therewith; and means arrangedto progress said chains and trays from the region of introduction of the fresh eggs to the region of discharge of the hatched chicks.

8. In an incubator, the combination with an inclosure for an egg chamber; of means arranged to circulate air in horizontal strata in said chamber, between congeries of eggs and Y and means, in said conduit, arranged to heat the air in its passage from the outer atmosico 

